Leatherman Wave vs. Super Tool 200

pahl

pahl

Joined
Feb 23, 2002
Messages
1,088
I have a Wave and was wondering how the Super Tool compares in size.

Could someone post a photo of the super tool next to the wave or email me the photo?

Do the jaws on the super tool open wider then the jaws of the wave?

Looking at the photo's of the super tool it looks as if the phillips bit may have a longer shaft on it then the one on the wave, is it longer?

Thanks,
 
The SuperTool 200 is bigger and definitely a more sturdy tool than the Wave. I had a Wave at one time, but found that it didn't meet my work needs as well as my old SuperTool(older model), so I decided to upgrade to the ST200....and haven't regretted it since. :cool:

I believe that the jaws' open width is just about the same, not exactly sure though(traded my Wave off awhile back, so no pics, sorry). And lastly, the shaft on the ST200 screwdriver is longer than the one on the Wave. (This was one of my peeves with the Wave :grumpy:.)

I believe that it would have to come down to your own personal needs/tastes in multitools. I prefer the heft of the ST200 as compared to the Wave, but then again my work needs require a sturdier tool. Another perk is that all of the tool blades lock on the ST200, whereas the Wave only has four.
 
Thanks KBR!

I used a Gerber multi-tool for years. The Gerber phillips is really short. I have been really happy with the longer phillips on the Wave, but a bit longer would be very nice at times.

I have had the wave for a couple years now. It was replaced once because of the jaws getting loose and a couple other problems.

I see the super tool has a electic crimper on it. That is one thing the gerber tool has that I miss having on my wave.

It would also be nice to have the ruler back on my EDC multi-tool too. My wave don't have it and my gerber did.

One less screwdriver on the super tool vs. the wave is fine with me too.


If you don't mind me asking what kind of work do you do? Just trying to get a idea how you use your tool.

I do appliance repair and refrigeration work. Including delivery and installs. I use my multi-tool daily and in way's it's not ment to be used :)

I think I will pick up a super tool this weekend and give it a try.

Anyone else have some thought on the wave vs. the super tool?
 
If you don't mind me asking what kind of work do you do? Just trying to get a idea how you use your tool.
Click to expand...

I recently changed career fields from being a truck driver to being a welder(sub-arc). My knives and ST200 have never seen so much use before, with the Leatherman's wire cutters, pliers, and screwdrivers being used almost as much as my Endura SE and 110. :D

I'm sure that you could find the ST200 more useful in your line of work than the Wave, IMHO. However, I do think that the Wave is a good multitool to carry for non-work EDC.

BTW, if you find that the SuperTool 200 is not for you, there's always the Trade forum here at the BF. :)
 
OwenM,
Could you email me the photo's? Thanks!

Are the handles rolled over on the ST200 just like they are on the Wave?
 
The handles on the Supertool 200 are rolled like the Pulse and Wave. The Supertool 200 is wider and longer than the Wave. The Philips screwdriver is longer and so are the knife blades. (A little over three inches.) Based on your comments Pahl, I think a Supertool 200 would be a better choice. It seems to be a good bit stronger and the screwdrivers do lock. The Supertool 200 weighs about an ounce and a half more so you'll be carrying a little more weight.

If you're not stuck on Leatherman check out the SOG Powerlock as well. I think it has the best pliers of the bunch and it has a 1/4" driver that works with sockets. You can also replace the tools and get the same basic set as the Supertool 200.
 
Don't you hate it when you write a long intelligently worded reply about a subject you finally feel qualified to write about and the damn ISP kicks you off and lose your whole text, I'll probably never have anything as intelligent as that to say again,(my wife just said,"so what, that never stopped you from replying before"):rolleyes:

Bottom line is I've had both and used them extensively in my job, if your lookig for a dependable tool to use in a pinch and possibly save you a trip back to your toolbox, get the Wave.

If you want a dependable tool that will replace a lot of tools and work almost as well as industrial tools,(and still fit in your pocket or on your hip, get a Supertool.
 
I wish my supper tool had a clip like my spyderco. I looked at a sideclip leatherman model, but it is not as useful as I think the supper tool is for me . Sorry about me straying from the subject, just had to put in my two cents worth
 
OwenM,
I got the photo's in your email, thanks!
I have a much better idea of what to expect now.


T. Erdelyi,
I know what you mean. What use to happen to me all the time is I would type a really long reply and click the Submit Reply button and get the message about the server being busy to try again. I would click the back button only to find all my text gone :eek:
This has not happened with the new server they are using now :)

After having that happen a few time I now right click on the text and do the select all and copy thing quick before clicking the sumbit button.

That's it! I'm going to Wal-mart today and pick up a ST200.

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by banditele
I wish my supper tool had a clip like my spyderco. I looked at a sideclip leatherman model, but it is not as useful as I think the supper tool is for me . Sorry about me straying from the subject, just had to put in my two cents worth
Click to expand...

I wonder if a person could have a pocket clip spot welded onto the Super tool.
I would not want a pocket clip on one as I like to carry my multi-tools in a belt sheath.

Just a thought,

jp
 
I used to work with a guy who had an original Leatherman on a lanyard around his neck, it was always handy.
 
Ok, My .02 cents on this........

First a reminder that Leatherman designs tools for
a wide list of uses. Everything from the simple PST
to the enginerring marvel ... the Wave. However,
for day in day out use I swear by a Supertool. The
orginal Supertool.

Why? Well IMO the 200 is a bit to tough to reliably
be drawn from the sheath due the "Lock Levers" .
I learned that from the Pulse I own. In order to
get the tool ....easily.... out of the nylon pouch
the lock levers MUST be facing the belt or they
hangup on the lip seam. When you are dangling off
a ladder or some such thing that can lead to some
interesting words :eek: as you try to get the tool
out.

Also I prefer the older Supertool because it is
mechanicly simpler in the lock deparment. That said
the 200 would serve much better than a Wave anyday
when it comes to grunt level work that most
tradesmen do. The Wave is just to light for any
REAL work everyday. I finally gave mine away
because it couldn't be opened ....left hand...very
well:( and it folded on me once to often:mad:

So try to find an orginal supertool or buy a 200
but either way you'll be glad you did:D :D
 
I bought the ST200 and tool adapter this last Saturday.
It is built a lot heavier then the Wave. I think it will hold up very well.
I have read post about people liking the old lock release system on the old super tool better then the new lock release levers on the ST200.

You can lift a blade part way on the new super tool 200 to release the locked blade you have open without having to use the new lock release levers. Is this not how the old super tool lock release worked?

In other words you have two ways to release the locked blade on the ST200.
The old way and the new way. What could be better?

It does fit the leather sheath better with the lock levers to the back of the sheath.

I don't think this will be a problem. With time it will just become habbit to always put it back into the sheath the same way.

Anyway I like it :D

I used to work with a guy who had an original Leatherman on a lanyard around his neck, it was always handy.
Click to expand...
:eek:

He must have a stronger neck then me. :)
 
I think Leatherman really blew it by making locking knife blades but not locking screwdrivers! I know which way the blade is facing to cut something. But screwdrivers turn, which means I would frequently lose placement on the screw, even with Philips.

The Wave isn't more comfortable for me, either, because the outer knife/saw/file blades are surrounded by the open handle, which I find wide and uncomfortable to grip.

I like the Pulse. It's only missing the saw, of all the tools I usually look for, and it is a lot lighter and more compact than the Supertool. In fact, go to the Leatherman site and compare the Pulse to the bigger Juice models. In beats them in everything but the pretty colors :)

Lately I'm carrying a Powerlock. It's got almost everything, including a decent lock, but it is also the biggest and heaviest multi I've ever had.
 
Cliff,
old Supertool vs new 200 supertool.....
simple lock required lifting another tool to unlock
needed to has small split ring to handle for lanyard on old, new has built in ring
old handles not rounded but still comfortable due to tool arrangement
new has lock release levers making handles thicker.
old easy to break in to "butterfly" open tool.

All in all I feel Leatherman tried to fix all the
"gripe" points on the supertool. I think for most
folk's they did. I just wish they hadn't dropped
the older design for those of us who really like
that design. :( Oh, well, I bought 3 of the older
design so I'm set for a long time.:D :D

For my money either one is a winner:cool:
 
Today I found out that the ST200 will cut the metal shipping bands that are around the bottom of the cardboard boxs they put appliances in much easier then my Leatherman Wave did.

There is a bit more length to the cutter in the jaws on the ST200 then on the wave and I think with the bigger and longer handles on the ST200 you get more leverage then you do with the Wave.

I do like the way they did the loop for the lanyard on the ST200 as I do use it at times. Such as when I'm fishing. It would really suck to drop it in the lake.

I used the lanyard loop on my Wave a lot when tying lines on small hooks. I would put the hook in the lanyard loop on the tool and hold it there with my thumb well I pull the knote tight. Works much better then trying to hold them small hooks with just your fingers.

I have only been using the ST200 for three day's now and at this point in time I can't see going back to the wave.

I got the wave out tonight to compare the two again and the wave seems really small now when I hold it in my hand.

I would like to thank everyone on BF that recommended the Leatherman Super Tool 200. It's going to make life a little easier :)

Thanks!
 
Originally posted by pahl,
I have only been using the ST200 for three day's now and at this point in time I can't see going back to the wave.
Click to expand...

I had a feeling that you'd say that....;) :D
 
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